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THE PUBLIC HEALTH IMPORTANCE OF BIOFILM SLIME IN DRINKING WATER PIPES: CREATING HIDEOUTS FOR THE PATHOGENIC UNDERWORLD OF MICROBIOLOGY
Citation:
Williams, M M., J W. Santo Domingo*, C A. Kelty*, AND M Meckes*. THE PUBLIC HEALTH IMPORTANCE OF BIOFILM SLIME IN DRINKING WATER PIPES: CREATING HIDEOUTS FOR THE PATHOGENIC UNDERWORLD OF MICROBIOLOGY. Presented at EPA Science Forum 2003, Washington, DC, 5/5-7/2003.
Description:
Biofilms consist of many species of bacteria, protozoa, and other microbes living together on almost any type of moist surface. Within drinking water distribution systems, biofilms grow readily on the inner walls of pipes, even in the presence of chlorine disinfectants. Some microbes living in biofilms can be grown in laboratory cultures, but many others are unculturable. Certain bacteria, including Legionella species, the cause of Legionnaire's disease, grow within other microbes, such as amoeba and other protozoa, that live in the biofilms. Research has shown that Legionella, as well as other bacterial pathogens, can survive in drinking water biofilms and escape exposure to disinfection agents. The current research examined the microbial population in drinking water distribution systems, with emphasis on identifying bacteria and protozoa that may pose a risk to public health. Molecular techniques, including PCR amplification of a target gene, followed by cloning and sequence analysis, were used to identify the unculturable portion of the biofilm population. These results were compared to the identification of culturable biofilm bacteria. Microbial populations found within water treated with free chlorine were compared to populations in water exposed to monochloramine disinfectant. Results showed a wide variety of culturable and unculturable organisms present in the distribution systems, even with constant exposure to disinfectant. Microbial community analysis is a first step in understanding the ecology of drinking water biofilms. Further research will determine the ability of potential pathogens to survive within these communities. The risk to public health will be elucidated in part by examining the activity of these organisms in drinking water distribution systems.